My Damned Lover: Third Year

Chapter 18

That night, Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Seraphina sat in the common room and exchanged stories of their Hogsmeade adventure. It was mostly Hermione and Ron talking about visiting the Shrieking Shack. 

"I swear, Ron is a coward," Hermione said with a grin. 

"I'm not going anywhere near that cursed place," Ron said with a shudder.

Seraphina laughed and shook her head. 

"Where did you go anyway? We didn't see you," Ron said. 

"I went to Hogsmeade and then the Three Broomsticks," Seraphina said. 

"By yourself?" Ron asked. "Well, Draco was with me," Seraphina said. 

"What?! Bloody Malfoy!" Ron gawped at her. 

"Did he do something to you?" Hermione furrowed her eyebrows and touched her arm with a concerned look. 

"Nah, we went to talk about the potions project..." We couldn't even start on it. Every time I brought it up, he would immediately ask me a question.

"Let me know if he tries anything funny, Seraphina," Harry said. 

"No worries. You know me. I can handle myself. But thanks for being sweet, Harry." Seraphina beamed at him. 

"Why do you always compliment Harry but get mad at me?" Ron complained. 

"Because you say the stupidest things, like your brother Fred," Seraphina said. 

Ron pouted, and Hermione threw her head back to laugh. 

"Ah, I have a gift for you, Harry. Well, gifts actually." Then she dumped all the candies onto his lap. 

"Bloody hell, Seraphina! Did you buy the entire store or what?" Ron demanded with greedy eyes as he snatched a chocolate frog. 

Seraphina slapped his hand, causing him to drop his favorite snack. She picked up the frog and handed it to Harry with a sweet smile. "I figured you missed Hogsmeade a lot." 

Harry laughed, "Thanks, Seraphina, but I had a pretty good session with Professor Lupin." 

Seraphina smiled back, and her gaze landed on the clock behind him. "I gotta go." She stood up. 

"Where?" Hermione asked. 

"The library. Potions project with Draco." 

"What? I thought you already discussed that with him at Hogsmeade." 

"We didn't finish. Don't worry. It won't take long." Seraphina gave her a hug and headed for the staircase. "Harry," she called, causing him to look back. "The truth is... I picked these candies... but someone else paid for them." 

"Who?" Harry tilted his head.

 "Um..." Seraphina smiled. "Your secret admirer."

 "Secret admirer?" His eyes widened. 

Seraphina gave him a wink and raced upstairs to change. She didn't know why she felt so excited, but she was eager to go to the library as soon as possible.

-----

I'm an idiot. 

Seraphina stared down at her outfit and wondered why she made so much effort on it. She was going to the library, not on a date! Seraphina couldn't bring herself to enter, and she lingered near the entrance with a growing frown. Maybe I should go change...